Eating is the Eastern Cape and the Wild Coast is a real treat for your taste buds and senses. From general South African favourites, to local Xhosa specialties, having a meal here is not just a daily ritual - it is a social experience. The Xhosa people take great pride in preparing and cooking their meals, and are often more than happy for you to share this ritual with them.

Immerse yourself in the culture, and take part in meal-time with the locals - and learn some of their customs first hand!

This Wild Coast and Eastern Cape Restaurants page will provide you with some useful information about the local and regional cuisine, as well as some suggestions on where you can go to try it for yourself! Sitting down to indulge in some traditional culinary delights is a perfect way to end your day after some Wild Coast Shopping. If you want a bit more background knowledge, then check out our South Africa Restaurants page will help you out.

Wild Coast & Eastern Cape Restaurants Guide

As well as traditional foods, you will also find that many coffee shops, tea gardens, country pubs, and restaurants are among the eating and drinking refreshment opportunities in the Eastern Cape Province. Many establishments also offer a combination of traditional Xhosa meals and live jazz evenings. These give you the opportunity to not only try the local foods, but have a great time in the process.

Traditional local Xhosa cuisine uses a variety of different vegetarian and meats combined with local spices and cooking methods. Some common vegetarian staples include mealie or potato pap, samp and beans, umfino (wild leaves from various food plants), and isigwamba (spinach and cabbage).

These staples are usually accompanied with meat dishes, often in the form of slow cooked stews. Contents of these stews can include beef, sheep's head and feet, tripe, or a variety of other local animals. These stews are often cooked in three-legged cast iron post over a hot fire. You can often find the Xhosa a person enjoying a beer brewed from Sorghum, and is a great accompaniment to this traditional feast.

Another popular method of cooking throughout the country is the ‘braai' or BBQ. Throughout South Africa, people from all tribes and regions will relish the opportunity to cook up some meat and take pleasure in sharing this with friends and family alike. Some of the more popular braai options include springbok, kudu, beef, ostrich steaks, or lamb from the Karoo.

As mentioned above, if you want to enjoy a more authentic experience, then your best option is to try some of the traditional township fare with the locals themselves. A boisterous "shebeen" (township bar/restaurant) is the best place to enjoy one of these meals.